Description: New technologies have created alternative treatments to improve vision and hearing. What are these technologies and their cost? Can these procedures be insured? What is the cost impact if covered? From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 31, No. 2, Session 86

Description: This presentation from Session 10 of the SOA June 2005 New Orleans Health/Pension Spring Meeting discusses thirty years of changing retirement risks faced by American workers. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 31, No. 2.

Description: This presentation from Session 15 of the SOA 2005 Health/Pension Spring Meeting discusses current developments affecting health plan contracting with institutional, professional and ancillary providers. Specific questions addressed are: 1. What are the trends in financial arrangements sought by providers?, 2. Has consolidation changed negotiating strategies?, 3. Has technology affected the types of financial arrangements available?, and 4.How can actuaries assist in the analytical/negotiating process?

Description: This session from the 2005 Life Spring Meeting discusses mergers and acquisitions activity, the factors that may influence the level of M&A activity and the potential opportunities for M&A activity in the marketplace today. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 31, No. 1.

Description: This session from the 2005 SOA Spring Meeting discusses SOP 03-1, DAC on internal replacements and Sarbanes-Oxley - SOX Section 404. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 31, No. 1. Session 70F

Description: In session 64PD of the New Orleans Life Spring Meeting Panelists discuss the current market for annuities and different product designs and features. Also covered the the effect of the standard non-forfeiture law on annuities.

Description: Proposals and ideas are discussed with regard to pension accounting standards. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3.

Description: 2004 SOA Annual Meeting and Exhibit, New York. This session on term insurance covered the general term insurance marketplace, return of premium term, and securitization and how that has impacted the term marketplace.

Description: The panel presents the evolution of enterprise risk management within the actuarial profession from the perspectives of an actuarial educator, an actuarial recruiter and a corporate risk officer. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3.

Description: At this session of the SOA 2004 Annual Meeting, the authors of a text on mergers and acquisitions each discuss their contribution to the book, which covers all aspects of an acquisition.

Description: 2004 SOA Annual Meeting and Exhibit, New York. The panelists addressed fixed annuity regulatory issues with emphasis on the annuity nonforfeiture law, current trends and product design, and how reinsurance can address the conflicting issues of competitiveness and profitability.

Description: Panelists discuss the various approaches different entities take with respect to equity product valuation for financial statements and risk-based capital measures. From Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3.

Description: 2004 SOA Annual Meeting and Exhibit, New York. Panelists discussed current issues in emerging markets, such as China Life's initial public offering and the impact of new international accounting standards.

Description: The image campaign for the actuarial profession is described. From Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3.

Description: Panelists discuss recent acquisitions and mergers from a variety of perspectives. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3, Session 90

Description: This presentation is a lecture, session number 8L, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 14-15 in San Antonio, TX. The speakers discuss the increased competition in the financial services industry for risk-management roles, decreased influence of actuaries in the insurance world, increased criticism of actuarial techniques in the media and press e.g., pensions, and how the actuarial profession is reacting. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 2.

Description: This presentation is an open forum, session 11OF, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 19-21 in Anaheim, CA. The panelists note that defined benefit [DB] pension actuaries are finding themselves working in new and expanded roles in the new millennium, and discuss the answers to challenging questions raised by working in this environment, such as what additional training is recommended, and what the unique challenges and rewards are. The panelists look at the future with respect to the DB actuary, with respect to less traditional roles in that area as well as opportunities in the area of defined contribution plans. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 1.

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion, session 107PD, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 19-21 in Anaheim, CA. Research results from the National Long-Term Care Survey and other surveys of the general elderly population indicate that age-specific morbidity [functional disability] prevalence rates have dropped significantly since 1982. The panelists quantify the nature of the temporal trends in disease morbidity and functional disability, noting that what is really new in this session is looking at the joint impact of changes in disability and mortality. They illustrate the potential impact of these temporal trends on long-term care insurance LTCI pricing and valuation, and provide some guidance as to how this material can be used by LTCI actuaries. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 1.

Description: 2004 SOA Spring Meeting, Anaheim, CA. This session presented expert views on emerging issues that have technical and practical ramifications for plan sponsors, participants and/or advisers. It offered attendees an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the current retirement system's regulatory environment and how it has changed.

Description: Panelists review the history of why Medicare has lacked prescription drug coverage and why some of the previous proposals have failed. The session then discusses drug coverage in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental plans and Part D. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 1, Session 106pd.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting covers an update on IASB developments related to international accounting standards for insurance, fair value versus other measures, recognition of profits or losses at issue and balance sheet versus income statement focus for financial reporting. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting provides an overview of how insurers, pension plans and other institutional investors measure and report manager performance, the benchmarks used and capital at risk CAR. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting focuses on WL and UL insurance products offered in the U.S. and Canada, market and regulatory differences and similarities, the comparison of product offerings and an overview of current issues in product development. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting covers the growing area of enterprise risk management ERM. It provides an overview of an ERM framework as well as issues and challenges of implementation. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting presents medical advances, common diseases and the resulting trends for the future on longevity and morbidity risk, underwriting trends and measuring the impacts of the changes. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: Panelists discuss recent events in the area of risk management and solvency regulation. Actuarial roles and opportunities in enterprise risk management and as chief risk officers are specifically addressed. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3, Session 75

Description: A panel of actuaries and clinical consultants at this session of the SOA 2003 Vancouver Spring Meeting provides an assessment of current and future applications of predictive modeling techniques in the health arena. A practical example of risk adjustment, discussion of the clinical use of this technique, and applications in underwriting are discussed.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Spring Meeting is intended to improve your understanding of the history, current status and future of Internet security and increase your awareness of encryption, viruses and solutions and countermeasures for internet security. Session 37OF

Description: Topics include rising minimum funding in the face of fixed contractual contribution rates improving the lines of communication between professional advisers, the board of trustees and the fund administrator and late-breaking developments related to multi-employer plans. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 2, Session 86pd.

Description: Speakers review current trends in phased and partial retirement, benefit design issues surrounding phased retirement and deferred retirement option programs DROPs. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 2, Session 87pd.

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting discuss how changes in interest rates affect the assets and liabilities of a life insurance company and what a company can do to prepare. This session examines historical trends in interest rates and how companies have reacted to both sudden and gradual changes.

Description: The panel at this session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting look at the product development process with a focus on improving the success rate for new products and process improvement strategies.

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting explore economic capital from the standpoint of an SOA task force including an industry survey, one company's implementation, and a regulator.

Description: This session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting discusses the emergence of the life settlement market. Panelists present an overview of the market, typical transactions, implications for life companies and longevity risk takers, and regulatory issues.

Description: This session at the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting addresses how to objectively measure a portfolio manager's investment performance, evaluate relevancy of market indices as performance benchmarks for insurance liabilities, and successfully benchmark performance against insurance liabilities.

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting give an historical perspective and discuss actual and proposed changes to the Standard Nonforfeiture Law for annuities and life insurance.

Description: This session from the 2003 Washington D.C. Spring Meeting discusses the recent economic conditions in Europe, Asia and North America and the changes in product design and risk management that have taken place to address such financial risk. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 1, Session 77PD.

Description: Panelists discuss the following current GAAP issues: [1] internal replacements, [2] purchase accounting [including FAS 141 and 142], [3] emerging accounting issues, and [4] the Statement of Position from the AICPA regarding non-traditional policies and features. From the 2002 Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 3. Session 15OF of the Boston Annual Meeting.

Description: Panelists discuss the contractual relationships between health-care providers and health-care insurers [payers], and how they can be improved. Discussed are managed care, HMO, and PPO types of negotiated contracts in the private arena. Recent trends in types of provider arrangements, and expectations for the future, are also discussed. From the 2002 Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 3. Session 97PD of the Boston Annual Meeting.

Description: This session reviews the various significant risks associated with DC plans, with a particular focus on the risks that continue to be borne by plan sponsors. Attendees gain an understanding of the risks that DC plan sponsors carry and the management of such risks. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 2, Session 96pd.

Description: Panel members discuss their roles in actual pension negotiations. Topics covered include neutrality versus advocacy, maintaining a long-term relationship and the role of the third actuary in a dispute. Attendees learn how actuaries deal with common conflicts and how to conduct themselves in a professional manner in a difficult advocacy environment. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 2, Session 46pd.

Description: This teaching session provides a summary of publicly available data and information sources for health actuaries. Several of the more useful resources are reviewed in detail. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 2, Session 15

Description: This session 151TS of the New Orleans Spring Meetinguses real life examples to demonstrate the more complex collateral types and structures and the risks and rewards of these financial instruments. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 3.

Description: This panel discussion session explored alternative methods for accounting recognition of the costs of policyholder dividends. The theoretical bases, as well as the impact on anticipated earnings patterns, are discussed. Implementation issues are also discussed. Discussion of participating products in the UK and accounting methods used for them is also included.

Description: This session 30 PD of the New Orleans Annual Meeting discusses how several organizations, with representation from a number of countries, are currently drafting new standards to create uniformity across nations. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 3.

Description: Attendees will hear a brief summary of the major requirements of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities SFAS 133, a more detailed description of certain key provisions is given and the leaders summarize the impact on the industry. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 3, Session 42TS of the New Orleans Annual Meeting.

Description: This session explores where financial engineering is applied, who is “leading the charge,” and what are the current and future roles of actuaries. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 2, Session 55PD of the Toronto Spring Meeting.

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2001 Toronto Spring Meeting discuss incorporating reinsurance costs into the pricing of their retail products. Panelists also discuss the different effects of various reinsurance arrangements.

Description: The panel discusses: 1. How fund transfers may affect expense recoveries through fee revenue 2.How transfers between fixed and variable funds may impact required capital 3. Product design features that affect the risk profile of the product and 4. Modeling considerations to quantify the policyholder behavior risk. From session 113PD of the 2001 Toronto Spring Meeting.

Description: This session at the SOA 2001 Toronto Spring Meeting looks at liquidity risk including the causes and risk management options. The work of the American Academy of Actuaries Life Liquidity Work Group is reviewed. The requirements of New York's Circular Letters ont the subject are discussed.

Description: This session 15 PD of the Toronto Spring Meeting includes an update on specific approaches adopted by Canadian insurers and regulators to deal with capital guarantees on segregated fund products, capital modeling in the Canadian banking industry, and emerging issues using these techniques in the U.S. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 2, Session

Description: This session discusses current trends in retirement decision making, retirement incentives, the impact of conditions in the local and national economy on a person's decision to retire. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 1, Session

Description: Oncoming demographic shifts, as well as economic trends, are forcing changes in the way people think about retirement. Many people are postponing retirement, phasing out their current positions, or moving to part time employment. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 1, Session 28PD

Description: After many years of decline, the individual disability insurance industry is now experiencing double-digit growth in sales and profits. Attendees learn about quantitative and qualitative evidence of opportunities that exist in the individual disability market, along with specific varying product approaches. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 1, Session 22

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion, session 94PD, from the 2000 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 15-18 in Chicago. The panelists discuss behavioral finance, which incorporates psychological phenomena into models of financial markets. Noting that behavioral finance was originally deemed controversial, the panelists look at progress made to integrate behavioral finance into models of efficient markets. The presentation includes a case study on a product in Canada commonly known as guaranteed investment fund [GIF], a segregated fund product, with risks similar to GMDB variable annuities. Behavioral finance is also discussed from the perspective of complex adaptive systems, including nonactuarial applications of these systems, some existing actuarial applications, and some potential actuarial applications. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 26, No. 3.

Description: From a panel discussion session at the annual meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Chicago, Illinois, October 15-18, 2000 The panelists discussed recent trends in actuarial employment including: · Telecommuting · Actuarial consulting via the Internet · Actuaries working in banks and other financial institutions · Other opportunities such as reinsurance brokers, recruiters, and life agency employees

Description: In session 120 PD of the Las Vegas Spring Meeting panelists discuss new developments and strategies related to provider contracting. What changes in the risk-sharing arrangements are occurring? What contracting methodologies have been successful and what ones have not? From Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 26, No. 1.

Description: Policymakers often turn to elaborate computer models to assess the effect of proposed changes in Social Security or pension laws and regulations. At this session, descriptions of these models and their methods are presented, including a review of the models' capabilities and limitations. The potential for use by actuaries in connection with these models is also discussed. From Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 26, No. 1.

Description: This presentation from Session 111OF of the SOA 1999 San Francisco Annual Meeting covers the new medical technologies and how they affect the price of medicine, the delivery of health care, the cost of care, claims handling, utilization, and cost management. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Description: Presenters discuss worldwide issues and trends in which actuaries may be involved and the implications of these issues and trends on the actuarial profession worldwide. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Description: Presenters gave their projections and analysis on demographic trends and longevity prospects going into the next century in important countries. They analyzed the factors influencing the expected trends and comment on what these trends will mean for the financial services industries and the actuarial profession around the world.

Description: The panel examined the trend of a large proportion of new and in-force business being ceded by direct-writing companies into the reinsurance marketplace. Questions addressed: 1. Is there a difference of opinion on mortality assumptions between the reinsurer and the direct writer? If so, who's right? 2. If the reinsurer is right, what are the implications to the direct writer? 3. If the direct writer is right, what are the implications to the reinsurer? 4. Are there other driving forces behind the large amounts being ceded?

Description: Presenters examine some of the difficulties created by the absence of worldwide generally accepted accounting principles. Topics covered: 1. The need for worldwide Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, accounting, and reserving standards. 2. The work being done by the International Accounting Standards committee and the International Organization of Securities Commissions.

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. The panel considered the new European Union and the challenges and opportunities it offers for American insurance and financial institutions. Topics included: 1. Investment challenges and opportunities in the new European Empire. 2. Impacts on the insurance and pension markets. 3. Increased competition from European companies. 4. Hedging with the new currency.

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. Presenters discussed the proposed NAIC model regulations dealing with guaranteed investment contracts. Covered topics: 1. Products subject to regulations. 2. Reserving methodologies described in the regulation. 3. Assumptions. 4. Required actuarial certifications.

Description: Panel examines ideas to enhance the relationship between the actuarial profession and the academic community. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Description: The presenter examined the concept of customer intimacy as a way to maintain a viable position in a competitive market. He then develops the concept of customer intimacy as a way to maintain a viable position in a competitive market. Finally, he covers the information, product/delivery, organizational, and performance measurement strategies that a company should follow to achieve customer intimacy.

Description: Panelists discuss what they are seeing in today's market in respect to HMO group products offered to employers alongside their individual Medicare product. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 2.

Description: Panelists discuss various managed care strategies and their experiences with how well these strategies have been implemented in the individual and small group market. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 2.

Description: From session 63 PD at the Spring regional meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 24-25, 1999, panelists discuss current issues including adoption status and proposals for various regulations critical to product development efforts. Impact of XXX on product design and reserves is also discussed. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 1.

Description: From session 74PD at the Spring regional meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 24-25, 1999. Panelists explore the features, uses, and market for buyers of survivorship life products.

Description: This presentation, session number 90PD, took place at the 1999 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 24-25 in Atlanta. The last two years witnessed a proliferation of guarantees on variable annuities and competing investment products: guaranteed living benefits and death benefits on variable annuities, as well as mutual fund death benefits and Canadian segregated funds. “To estimate costs of these benefits, companies have moved away from stochastic modeling to capital market pricing approaches. A panel of experts identify the various risks associated with these guarantees, provide an overview of the different pricing methodologies used in determining the costs, discuss whether companies are charging enough for these risks, and forecast the next wave of guarantee designs.” From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 1.

Description: From a session at the Spring regional meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 24-25, 1999 Panel examined the failure of three major life insurance companies in North America: Executive Life, Mutual Benefit, and Confederation Life, changes that have taken place in the aftermath of these failures, and the likelihood of future failures.

Description: 1999 SOA Spring Meeting, Atlanta. This session addressed the risks and potential costs of long-term guarantees in some insurance products. Topics included: · Guaranteed annuity purchase rates - how close are current rates to the guarantees? · Guaranteed minimum credited rates. · Guaranteed bonus rates.

Description: From session 60PD at the Spring regional meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 24-25, 1999, Panel examines a range of issues surrounding the organization of the actuarial department of an insurance company.